New president named for Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health

02/26/2016

Matthew Cook has been named the new president of Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health. He comes from the prestigious Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where he most recently has served as executive vice president of strategic planning and business development.

In his new position, Cook will be responsible for executing the strategic vision and priorities for Riley at IU Health, part of the IU Health system.

“This is a time of critical expansion for Riley at IU Health, and Matt will build on its existing culture of collaboration and innovation, while focusing on its mission to provide compassionate care, support and comfort to children and their families. He’ll also ensure the success of key projects, such as the development of a comprehensive maternity and newborn health specialty practice,” said IU Health Chief Operating Officer Al Gatmaitan.

Cook will begin his new role on April 4, reporting to Gatmaitan. Working closely with IU Health leaders, IU School of Medicine faculty, foundation board members, and key stakeholders across the state, Cook will continue to build upon Riley at IU Health’s reputation as the preeminent pediatric healthcare system for Indiana and beyond.

Cook, 47, comes well-qualified for the role. At CHOP, the nation’s first children’s hospital, he led many significant organizational and process improvements during his four-year tenure, including:

Redesigning the strategic planning process, including developing a five-year strategic plan for the 161-year-old hospital.

Improving employee engagement by encouraging a culture of collaboration and transparency.

Accelerating the growth rate of international patient volume and net revenue.

Prior to joining CHOP, Cook served for nine years as a principal at The Chartis Group, based in Chicago. Earlier in his career, he held senior positions at several healthcare related institutions, including Drexel University College of Medicine, Computer Sciences Corporation, and CareScience Inc.

Cook holds an MBA from New York University, where he graduated as class valedictorian. He graduated cum laude from the Wharton School with a BS in economics and a BA in German.

Paul Haut, M.D., who served as interim president at Riley at IU Health for about a year, will continue in his role as chief medical officer at Riley at IU Health, working in close partnership with Cook. Jeff Sperring, M.D., was president of Riley at IU Health from late 2011 to early 2015.

INDIANAPOLIS – June 27, 2017 – Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health has once again been distinguished as Indiana’s only nationally ranked children’s hospital by U.S.News & World Report, which released its 2017-18 Best Children’s...